In Baltimore City Bioterrorism defense center gets $1...

CITY/COUNTY DIGEST

A Johns Hopkins University center that warned of the dangers of biological weapons long before the recent anthrax attacks will receive its fourth year of federal funding.

A bill signed by President Bush gives the school's Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies its annual allocation of $1 million. The center, based in the Candler Building downtown, has helped to guide federal policy on defense against and prevention of bioterrorism, and public health measures that can be taken in the event of an attack.

The center, headed by Tara O'Toole, also receives financial support from private foundations.

Board approves sale of complex to Cordish Co.

The Board of Estimates, unanimously and without comment, approved yesterday the sale of the Power Plant Live entertainment complex and a neighboring parking garage to the Cordish Co. for $5.5 million.

The company has wanted to buy the complex, formerly called the Brokerage, since it gained control of the property under a long-term lease with the city that was approved in December 1999. Cordish has spent more than $11 million to upgrade 34 Market Place, a 300,000-square-foot property a block off the Inner Harbor, into a series of bars, restaurants and offices that opened last year, officials said.

Under the deal, the city would get a lump-sum payment of $2 million for the complex, instead of the lease payments over time. Cordish agreed to pay $3.5 million for the 275-car garage, which it did not control under the lease.

Police arrest man accused of hitting officer with ATV

A man suspected of running down a city police officer with an all-terrain vehicle Monday in Northwest Baltimore and leaving the scene was arrested yesterday on a warrant charging him with first-degree assault.

Police said Levar A. Mullen, 21, of the 2400 block of Reisterstown Road was spotted on Parkwood Avenue near the scene of the incident about 2:30 p.m. by Western District police and was arrested.

Mullen is accused of striking plainclothes Officer Michael Hufmann of the mobile enforcement team as the policeman stepped off a curb in the 2500 block of Woodbrook Ave. Witnesses told police the driver of an ATV intentionally struck Hufmann. The officer was released after treatment for leg and arm injuries at Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

One man dead, another wounded in northeast

Shell casings littered a Northeast Baltimore street last night after a burst of gunfire that left one man dead and another wounded.

City police said the shooting occurred about 9:45 p.m. in the 1300 block of Kitmore Road. A man believed to be about 19 years old was pronounced dead in an ambulance on the way to a hospital.

Wounded, according to his family members, was Christopher Hebbons, 21, who police said was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The shooting occurred outside the house where Hebbons lives with his mother, as he and a friend known as Tay, the other shooting victim, sat in a car the younger man had been driving, said brother Corey Hebbons, 30.

The motive for the shooting was unknown, police said.

In Baltimore County

Class to help faith groups grow is planned for Jan. 26

RANDALLSTOWN - A free seminar, "Positioning the Faith-Based Organization for Growth," will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 26 at Liberty Family Resource Center.

The conference is designed to help faith-based groups prepare for building or expansion programs and begin community development activities. It will provide information on state, local and federal funding.

The class is sponsored by the Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs and the Council for Economic and Business Opportunity/Church Analytics, P.A. The family resource center is at 3525 Resources Drive. Information: 410-887-5557.

Agency is forming a band; rehearsals to begin Jan. 30

TOWSON - Baltimore County Department on Aging is organizing a band for members of the community age 60 and older.

The band will rehearse at Catonsville Senior Center starting Jan. 30. Participation is free.

Information: Joe Raskin, 410- 318-6638.

Charlestown, Red Cross to hold blood drive Jan. 25

CATONSVILLE - Charlestown Retirement Community and the Central Maryland chapter of the Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 25.

Donations will be taken at Cross Creek Conference Center, 719 Maiden Choice Lane. Appointments are required.